Every semester, Baldwin Wallace University holds a wide variety of opportunities for students to get involved in the arts, including the annual musicals, Urban Dance Association, and many others. This year brings a new opportunity for a different type of dance on campus.
Started by Ella Dreyer, a junior Music Industry major and Olivia Mullins, a sophomore neuroscience major, the group originated from a love for burlesque. Between being in UDA and both sharing interest for the burlesque group, the two began formulating an idea.
After their burlesque show concluded, the duo wanted to continue the art. Per suggestions of Mullins’s mom, she and Mullins started the show at BW.
During their experience with the burlesque show, Dreyer and Mullins realized the heavy time commitment wasn’t going to work for others, since they too struggled. With their program here on campus, they wanted to make it low commitment, especially for people who don’t want to perform.
Though the group is not part of the Conservatory or a registered club, it’s a once-a-week heels class through the Dance Association. All the choreography and instruction are done by Mullins and Dreyer and catered to Baldwin Wallace students, regardless of skill or experience.
“The intention of it is to act as an empowerment tool,” Mullins said. “That’s what it was when we did burlesque prior, so bringing it to campus is like a way for people to express themselves and feel good about themselves for an hour and a half!”
Alongside building a space of inclusivity, they also wanted to build an environment for positivity and lack of judgement.
“We exist to promote body positivity,” Dreyer said. “It’s to feel comfortable in one’s skin while also promoting exercise and building better dance technique.”
Their efforts are to help students to embrace their sensuality in a place without guilt and judgement.
“I feel like most dancers don’t have any exposure to this style. So, if you are also a dancer that wanted to reach beyond the courses that are typically offered here at BW, this is a free extracurricular way to do it that is also low stress.” Dreyer said.
According to Mullins, the most important point of the class is to go and have fun
“It’s something to give you that supplemental source of joy and freedom without restrictions that everyone else has on you,” Mullins said.
“Jackets in Heels” is every Wednesday from 6:30pm-8:00pm at the Lou Higgins Dance Studio.
